October 6, 2007

COMMUNITY ALERT

Express Your Opposition to New Ambulance Fee Proposal

The Montgomery County Executive is considering a new proposal to charge County residents an ambulance user fee in 2008. Ambulance fees impose an additional burden on County residents and have the potential for discouraging residents, particularly the elderly and those without adequate insurance, from calling 9-1-1 in a life-threatening emergency. Such fees put profits ahead of people.

Take action now

Because this is not yet a formal budget proposal, you may not hear about it until it is too late. Communicating your views now will help ensure that County Executive Leggett prevents ambulance fees from being slipped into the upcoming County budget. Please call the following officials now to express your opposition:

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. . . . . . 240-777-2500

Montgomery County Fire Chief Thomas Carr. . . . . .240-777-2400

Background

Previous proposals to charge an ambulance fee of $350 have been rejected by the public and by the County Council, but officials responsible for revenue generation are again trying to insert a fee into next year’s County budget. An ambulance user fee has many hidden costs to the community, financial and otherwise, that Montgomery County residents should not be willing to pay:

• Fear of the billing process is likely to cause many, especially the elderly and those without adequate health insurance, to hesitate calling for an ambulance when they need one. This could lead to tragic results because of delayed medical care. In a survey conducted in April 2003, in response to an ambulance fee proposal, 39.6% of respondents said they would be less likely to call 9-1-1. Patients with potentially fatal chest pains often deny the seriousness of their symptoms. Do we want to make this problem worse?

• Many County residents–even those with Medicare or health insurance–will end up paying for an ambulance out of their own pockets. Patients will incur costs for co-pays and deductibles. Patients may even end up paying the entire cost because of insurance company hassles and disputes over whether the trip was “medically necessary.” When a resident is experiencing chest pains or a stroke, he or she shouldn’t have to choose between calling 9-1-1 or waiting for a taxi.

• Ambulance user fees may well lead to increased health insurance rates. Some have opined that an ambulance user fee will bring the County government “free money.” That’s a bit of wishful thinking. That “free money” must come from somewhere.

• An ambulance fee would cost the County government at least $2 million a year in administrative costs alone, according to a 2004 County report. This cost includes administrative personnel and private bill collectors to pursue County residents for payment.

• Ambulance service is among the most essential of public services, and Montgomery County should not charge for it. The concept of charging for ambulance service violates the quality-of-life values fundamental to our County. You already pay taxes for fire and rescue service. The fire and rescue service should remain a system that helps people rather than one that views each patient as a source of revenue.

Please call Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Fire Chief Thomas Carr to express your opposition to the ambulance fee proposal. Thank you for your support.

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